Moog Polymoog

Polymoog Synthesizer 203a

The Polymoog is the descendant of an ambitious project by Moog Music
to create a large ensemble system called the Constellation. It was to
include two keyboard synthesizers, the polyphonic Apollo and monophonic
Lyra, and the Taurus foot pedalboard synthesizer. Although the
Constellation project never made it to production, the Taurus pedalboard
was released on its own, while the "Apollo Polyphonic Synthesizer" went
on to become the Polymoog. It is also noteworthy that the
Apollo/Polymoog project did not directly involve Bob Moog and was
instead mostly designed by Dave Luce at Moog Music.

The Polymoog (model 203a) is a fully polyphonic preset-based
synthesizer released in 1975. Its eight preset sounds consist of
Strings, Piano, Organ, Harpsichord, Funk, Clavi, Vibes and Brass. There
is also a Var (Variation) mode that allows any one of the preset sounds
to be fully modified into unique and wild analog sounds using all of the
available synthesis parameters on board. There’s a genuine Moog ladder
filter inside with modulation, keyboard tracking and lots of LFO
modulation sources. The Polymoog features a full 71-key, velocity
sensitive Pratt & Read weighted keyboard that can be split into
three sections, each with independent volume sliders. There is a 3-band
EQ, sample-and-hold, pitch controller ribbon and a full set of envelope
controls. What you won’t find, however, is patch memory or MIDI
control.

Polymoog Keyboard 280a

The Polymoog 203a was originally known as the Polymoog Keyboard. In
1978, a newer, cheaper and more simplified model was released, the
Polymoog Keyboard 280a. The original model 203a was thus re-named the
Polymoog Synthesizer. The 280a model has more preset sounds (fourteen of
them) but eliminated most of the editing functions that make the
original 203a so much more flexible. The 280a model’s new preset sounds
included Vox Humana, Strings 2, Electric and Honky Tonk pianos, Chorus
Brass and a Rock Organ. Because programming is so limited you’re pretty
much stuck with the presets. Fortunately the Vox Humana preset is a
wonderful sound (used famously by Gary Numan). Editing is reduced to
volume, tuning, hi-pass filtering, and basic LFO features. The 280a
model can easily be identified by the name ‘Polymoog Keyboard’ printed
where sliders and knobs would exist on the 203a model.

Polypedal Controller 285a

An optional Polypedal board (model 285a) allows for external
control of the pitch, filter, and volume via two large black foot pedals. Sustain and trigger mode can
be controlled by two smaller silver foot pedals, and external sync of the
Polymoog can also be controlled.

It should be noted that the Polymoogs are not
true poly synths in the traditional sense. They use a ‘divide-down’ circuitry
arrangement similar to certain string synths, combo organs, etc. This allows
them to be fully polyphonic across the entire range of the 71-note keyboard. Sadly, the
Polymoog is rather unreliable and prone to breakdown; used specimens are
often problematic when left unserviced. Unfortunately,
their complexity makes them difficult to service and even more
difficult to find a qualified technician. By the way, the large amount
of real-estate on the top of the Polymoog was designed that way as a place
to put your Minimoog (or other synthesizers) on top of it. Don’t worry,
it can take the weight, as the Polymoog itself weighs a whopping 82
pounds!

Unique among Moog’s lineup, the Polymoog is not at all like the
Minimoog or any of the other mono-synths Moog has become famous for.
Instead, it was designed to complement Moog’s monophonic synthesizers.
It’s a unique and finicky product, the brain child
of David Luce instead of Dr. Bob Moog himself. But like all Moog
products, this isn’t an ordinary instrument — it’s the Polymoog and it sounds
fantastic for what it is. Polymoog’s have been used by Chick Corea,
Blondie, Keith Emerson, Devo, Gary Numan, Prince, Herbie Hancock,
Richard Tandy of ELO, Patrick Moraz, Rush, Larry Fast, Wendy Carlos,
Tony Banks, Kraftwerk, Geoff Downes, Jimmy Edgar, Freddy Fresh, and Rick
Wakeman of Yes.

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hep :hi: I'm looking for a sticker to my Polymoog. That have proven to be quite difficult. Any leads how to get one? Thank you They look like this: http://davidpresley.net/images/Music-Polymoog2.jpg | Read more...

I'm getting annoyed with this thing. Replaced the old electrolytic capacitors, and checked the rectifying diodes. As far as I can tell with DMM test/ process of elimination the relevant pass... | Read more...

... currently in the process of bringing back a Moog Keyboard back from the dead. A LOT of things ... top off. http://www.heathfinnie.com/images/polymoog/1.jpg Close up of the TL board. Reference ... | Read more...